The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at N.C. State University announced a strategic plan for restructuring the centuryold organization by targeting its strengths, improving access to services across the state and refocusing resources to support its refined core areas. The Extension Service will implement its strategic plan during a 22- month transition period through July 2016. Dr. Joe Zublena, director of the Extension Service at N.C. State, presented the plan to Extension employees across the state via a webinar on August 12.

“We’re better aligning our resources and refocusing on three core areas: Agriculture, Food and 4-H Youth Development,” said Zublena. “These are the areas where we are most needed, best equipped to provide solutions, and can make the most impacts on North Carolina's communities and economy."

The Extension Service has experienced federal and state funding reductions of $13 million since 2008 and a total of $22 million since 1991. During that time, the organization has permanently lost 157 county and campus-based positions through attrition. Yet Zublena points to proactive, positive opportunities as a primary factor in the restructuring.

Sen. Jim Davis (R-Macon) invites the public to participate in a forum on shale energy rulemaking, exploration and development in North Carolina Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 6 p.m. at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, 1028 Georgia Road, Franklin.

Commissioner Jim Womack, immediate past chair of the Mining and Energy Commission will be the featured speaker.

He will present:

Statutory guidelines from the NC General Assembly,

Mining and Energy Commission’s organization and rulemaking process,

What we know about shale energy deposits in the Triassic Basin,

Potential benefits from developing shale resources, and

Myths and urban legends about shale energy development (“fracking”).

Following Womack’s presentation, Senator Davis will moderate an extensive Q & A with the audience and an expert panel of guests who are familiar with the N.C. shale energy program, environmental issues, and related legislation.

Science-based, peer-reviewed handouts will be available. Also available for review will be DVDs, books, papers, and maps that provide authoritative information on the subject of shale energy.

Questions must be submitted in writing (blank index cards provided) and will be drawn at random for responses. No signs will be allowed in the building.

Teachers and concerned citizens gathered at town square in Franklin on Wednesday and joined other groups across the state in what was described by NCAE president John deVille as a rally for public education.

While most rallies were deemed a “silent protest,” deVille decided to break from that mold and invite N.C. senator candidate and former educator Jane Hipps as a guest speaker.

Hipps, a Democrat, spoke in opposition to recent policies and budgets passed by the current session of the General Assembly concerning public education in the state.

A month after the fiscal year ended, North Carolina’s General Assembly was able to come to an agreement on a more than $21 billion spending plan for the state, which Gov. Pat McCrory signed into law last Thursday morning.

While many of the headlines focused on the impact the new budget will have on education, the state’s structure involving Medicaid also was a point of contention for lawmakers. Raleigh officials stumbled on how to effectively reign in Medicaid spending, as well as ensure that all citizens receive the care and coverage that they need.